Indholdsfortegnelse for No. 100 i Voie Libre international

When celebrating the 100th issue of Voie Libre, rather than look back over the past, we have chosen to look forward… to admire what you, faithful readers, are busy creating. Quite simply, we invite you on a trip around the world. We have selected new layouts from 11 countries to provide a picture of narrow gauge modelling as it is practiced pretty much all over the planet. Modelling as we like it, modelling which offers a diversity and a creative generosity worthy of the fine community we belong to. Enjoy your reading, and we wish you a happy modelling new year! Follow us on Keep in touch all the year round with on blog.voielibre.com…

MinitrainS has re-surfaced after the storm! The H0-9 productions of this German manufacturer are available once again, and are even being released with new liveries. The French Army Schneider diesel locomotive is available in sand colour, the shade it displayed during WWI. The Decauville Progrès type 0-6-0 T is also available in a new, grey, livery, with black chassis and boiler. The model is identical to earlier runs; coreless motor fitted with a flywheel, installed vertically inside the cab. Simplified motion, disc wheels, very sharp markings. The models run smoothly, including through tight radius curves. MINITRAINS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE: REF. 1054 PRICE: 149.90 € STEAM LOCOMOTIVE: REF. 1084 PRICE: 149.90 € Available from the LR Modélisme shop…

The Association des Chemins de Fer des Côtes-du-Nord (ACFCdN) preservation society has published the full text of the CdN general operating rules, dated 1911, but amended and annotated by the owner of the documents during his career. The entire brochure was scanned and treated by optical character recognition (OCR). In my view reproducing the original pages would have been a more pleasing option, albeit a slightly more expensive one. But the main thing is the text itself, a text of interest to those keen on history or to modellers seeking authentic practice when operating their layouts. ACFCDN RÈGLEMENT GÉNÉRAL D’EXPLOITATION, COMPAGNIE DES CHEMINS DE FER DES CÔTES-DU-NORD [OPERATING RULES OF THE CHEMINS DE FER DES CÔTES-DU-NORD] 80 PAGES B&W, SOFTBOUND PRICE: 15 EUROS PLUS POSTAGE…

David is far from being a model railway specialist. His hobby is actually figures. So, when he decided to take the plunge and model a railway, he decided to create a fantasy scene. Let’s hear what he has to say about building the dwarfs’ mine. David Rumeau: I model fantasy figures, so this has little to do with model railways. But when my mates at the club suggested building a small layout, I went for an 11cm diameter circle of track, in 9mm gauge, and imagined this highly unlikely mine. François Fontana: How did you tackle the project? DR: I began by drawing what I wanted to build. Then, my friend Pierre Graftieaux stepped in to design all the animated cameo scenes and the related Arduino controls which bring the…

François Fontana: Hello Sebastian, tells us about your new layout, Rusinowo Waskotorowe station. Sebastian Marszal: the small station at Rusinowo Waskotorowe is the terminus of a branch on a 53km long 750mm gauge railway, which used to cross the Vistula on a train-ferry. The station is fairly complete, with sidings, a depot for the locomotives and a large station building that featured a staff dormitory. FF: You are a member of the Polska Makieta Modulowa club, what can you say about it? SM: We are a group of model railway enthusiasts who take a very realistic approach. We model as accurately as possible the Polish railways of the 1960s/1970s. For this layout, I have not compromised on the distances modelled, nor on the trackplan or the building dimensions. Everything is…

The purpose of this oval is to test 00-9 locomotives, and after a few hours of planning, it became an attractive animated diorama. We asked Bob Telford to tell us how it happened. François Fontana: Hello Bob, how did you get the idea for Falcon Rock? Bob Telford: I wanted to have a permanent test track, visible from all sides. So I took a 108 x 58cm sheet of plywood and arranged an oval on it, with 23cm radius curves. Then, I arranged building mock-ups on it to define the scene. I had a Kibri kit of Falkenstein Castle in Austria languishing on a shelf in my workshop. I placed it in the middle, on a base that was evocative of an island. My imagination did the rest. I had…

One of the main advantages of modelling over the real thing is that the landscape can be made into whatever you like, rather than having to live with it when laying the track. When I felt like running my track over a small wooden trestle bridge, typical of British military field railways, I had to build some negative relief to justify its existence… But, what could justify the hollow under the bridge? I opted for a boggy area. By boggy area, I actually mean a peat bog, located in the middle of moorland. This subject is seldom modelled. It can provide an interesting exercise in scenery, as it features very specific vegetation. This type of environment is usually occupied by a low vegetation consisting of dense herbaceous clumps (tussocks), of…

Ted Polet has become a well-known modeller thanks to his large 00-9 layout, the Craigcorrie & Dunalistair, a layout offering a wide variety of viewing points and scenery. But he also practices the art of the micro-layout, which consists in evoking a railway universe in less detail on a very small surface. With Nixnie, taking advantage of a scenic divider installed across the middle of the layout, he has created three different types of scenery. Let’s take a closer look. François Fontana: Hello Ted, telle us about Nixnie, how it all started, how you built it... Ted Polet: Nixnie was designed as a demonstration layout to show how little space is needed for a decorated layout with scope for operations and shunting. It measures 800 x 550mm without the fiddle…

The German retailer Schmalspurbedarf, in cooperation with Lok-Schlosserei, has released carriages derived from MBxd2 railcars and aimed at modernizing the operation of Polish narrow and metre gauge lines. This work was carried out by the “23rd Agust 1944” works (FAUR) in Bucharest, Romania. In the early 1980s, 2,800km of 740, 785 and 1000mm gauge lines were still operational in Poland, of which 1736 still carried passengers. These Bxphi railcar trailers of the A 208 P FAUR type, could be used as simple carriages, as each had its own heating and lighting system. 100 units were built between 1984 and 1988, and one or two of them were often hauled by an Lxd2 diesel (produced by Bemo). 15.92m long and weighing 19 t, with wooden seats arranged on a 2 +…

Well known for its H0 and 0 scale narrow gauge kits, the Japanese artisan Toma Model Works has released its first ready-to-run model. It reproduces a preserved engine from the 15km long, 762mm gauge line linking Kuroi to Uragawara, in the Niigata prefecture. The model is entirely made of metal, giving it a weight of 57g. The engraving is of a good standard, and the engine is produced in 1/87 scale, based on measurements from an Orenstein & Koppel catalogue. It is supplied with etched builder’s plates, but without couplers. It’s a standard O&K type that would be perfectly in its place on a European industrial layout, and can be detailed easily. The engine, not yet run in, starts under 2V and runs at a realistic speed under 7/8 V.…

The “Archives” collection of Editions du Cabri is a treasure trove. Extremely rich, it helps us travel back in railway history, to discover forgotten facilities and stock. However, and this is not so frequent, the Chemins de Fer de Provence (CP) are still alive, despite having lost part of their mileage! This 80 min. film shows us images of the railway as it used to be between the 1930s and 1950s; then until nowadays, this time in colour. The rolling stock found on the CP is incredibly varied. Not only stock that is typical of the system, but also stock from vanished French metre gauge railways. As if the latter, evicted from their original locations, had decided to live out their ultimate years in the sunshine – and in the…

Combining the features of a magazine through its format and its outlets, and of a book through its contents, the bookazine has become something trendy in the publishing world… So this is the format chosen by Kelsey Media to start publishing a series of works dedicated to industrial railways in Britain. Called “Wheels of Industry”, their editorial content benefits from the expertise of Andrew Neale, who also supplied most of the illustrations. Fans of weird installations and of narrow gauge will have a field day with this first volume, focused on steam locomotives. KELSEY MEDIA WHEELS OF INDUSTRY, VOLUME 1 98 PAGES, SOFTBOUND PRICE: 10.99 £ https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/product/BKZROBWHEELS/…

The layout, finished to a very high standard, is visible from all sides. It is based on a pretty story told by its builder. Thomas Schmid: Hello Andréas, could you describe your layout to us. Andréas Spahni: My small world is based on the Totemügerli fairly story, by the Bernese artist Franz Hohler. Two characters have a strange encounter with ghosts. This story is told in a blend of dialect and German, with invented words thrown in. On the basis of this story, I imagined a local railway company: the Schättegibeleggtäli Bahn, whose purpose is to ship Stotzgrotzen-Öiu, a delicious type of pastry that is world-famous! As the Öius are very sensitive to climatic conditions, they are carefully packaged at Schoossinjong before being shipped by train. TS: How do the…

François Fontana: Hello Nobuo, you model railways in 0 scale narrow gauge. Nobuo Koizumi: I create imaginary layouts where I mix Japanese, American and European atmospheres. I use rolling stock from all over the place, as often, the locomotives found on these small railways were bought second-hand from abandoned lines. Some stock was also built or modified by the railway companies themselves, which is an incentive to build my own models. My vehicles are designed with 2D drawing software, I print the parts on paper and use them as templates to cut the plastic sheet. I also build kits from all over the world. FF: I know you use public transport to get to modelling shows. How do you set about this? NK: I do indeed, despite having a large…

- Evergreen: “board & batten” sheet ref. 4544, flat strip ref. 8203, I strip ref. 272, L strip ref. 291, round strip ref. 220 - Peco: couplings ref. GR-102 and pockets ref. GR-103 - Maquette Création: axle supports (see issue 77 of Voie Libre) - Micro-Modèle: 2 axles MU92/N (diam. 6.2 mm, sold in sets of 4) - Left-overs from various kits: label holders, vent, lamp brackets, handrails, locks. All these parts can also be made very easily out of plastic sheet or brass if required - Various paints to suit, pastels…

These are tiny layouts where the trains are nothing more than an alibi. Here, everything prompts dreaming, and everything provides a creative opportunity. François Fontana: Bernard, your approach is micro-layouts; how were all these little models born? Bernard Diot: It often stems from an encounter; an encounter between myself and an object, or between myself and a photograph. Often, it is the container that leads to creating the micro-layout. If I happen to think of a sugar sprinkler as a lighthouse in a Britanny harbour and to place it next to an oyster basket, this will be enough to make me want to create a tiny port served by a railcar. I then select a specific professional activity, and weave a story around it. Ultimately, the train is simply a…

Tombrouck (or Tombroek) is a small town located on the linguistic border between the French and Flemish-speaking areas of Belgium, somewhere along the old metre gauge vicinal tram line linking Kortrijk and Mouscron. Tombroek also happens to be Gérard’s family name; so, when he discovered the town, and in addition, the tramway halt, he felt like investigating and building a layout. François Fontana: Gérard, tells us about the patient investigation which enabled you to recreate a slice of this town’s history, the town you share your name with. Gérard Tombroek: It’s quite a long story; my first contact was back in April 2011, when I visited this small town with my wife. Then, over time, with encounters, with documents found, the project took shape in 2013. Hugo Valcke, who runs…

It’s now certain, the REE company has taken an interest in our metre gauge secondary railways; this is great news for us! Following on from the A 80 D Billard railcar, but expected to be available before this item – one wonders why -, the winning trio of secondary railways is about to be released: flat wagon, open wagon, box van. These highly distinctive models, built by many companies for the CFD networks, will be sold in a wide variety of versions: box vans with round-top or two-sided roofs, open wagons with or without sheet supporting bar, etc. For the time being, all we have seen are undecorated test models, but with all the features of the production run: designed to be fitted with both 9mm and 12mm gauge axles,…

Here is a kit that will bring back memories to many! More than 20 years ago, the people in charge at Meridian were bold enough to produce rolling stock kits made out of injected plastic. The range featured Pershing military wagons in 00-9 that thrilled many a French modeller: a flat wagon, an open one and a box van. The only missing item was the tank wagon. Well, this has now been put right! The wagon has the same plastic chassis and bogies as its predecessors, with a monoblock cast resin tank added. The casting is of good quality, without bubbles and all that is required is to give the ends a gentle sanding. The wagon is assembled using plastic cement, and two-part epoxy adhesive for fixing the tank on…

If you are looking for reading material to help you through the long winter evenings, this press review is just right for you, as our colleagues have been highly prolific over the last few months. Issue n° 396 of Chemins de Fer Régionaux et Tramways is a special issue, entirely dedicated to the Tramways de l’Ardèche. Over 60 pages, and with his customary accuracy, Élie Mandrillon tells the story of this railway that was far from being as successful as its neighbour the Vivarais. A monograph also in Rail & Industrie n° 77 with a long article about the Sorbier railway, built in the Saint-Étienne coal basin. This is standard gauge, but the rolling stock has nothing in common with what is found on the mainline network. Voie Étroite n°…

Many new releases for metre gauge fans. And what is more, in three different scales! Narrow gauge is alive and kicking, and so much the better. Here is a review of the models that caught our fancy. A BRISSONNEAU & LOTZ RAILCAR Apocopa (<apocopa.fr>) has released a Brissonneau & Lotz railcar of the Chemins de fer du Morbihan in IIm scale. The model consists of the unpainted body, bogie sides and resin seats, together with the machined Perspex glazing, and costs 285 euros (+ postage). A motorized chassis will need to be added to this – or an un-motorized one, as the side ventilation grilles and the roof-mounted boss are add-on parts, for modellers electing to more easily reproduce a trailer rather than a driving unit. However, enthusiasts can also…

The sign on the wagon is very easily made using word-processing software: a white rectangle edged with blue. Select the font you fancy most for the company name. Add logos or images (which I found on the Web). Adjust, centre, this is important for the overall appearance. Under Word, you can also use WordArt to very easily create some pleasing items. It’s then time to print. I use a small HP Deskjet 3636 readily available from large retail stores. The difference will depend on the quality of the paper used. I always start by making a number of rough prints, adjusting shades, contrasts, etc. I turn the test sheet in all directions, and use standard 75 g/m2. paper. Once I am satisfied, I print the image several times, but this…

It is customary for secondary railway enthusiasts to be keen on urban and rural trams. Their collections and productions often cover a long period. Rather than let them gather dust on a shelf, Enrico decided to offer them a proper showcase: the inside courtyard of a former depot. He designed a fairly timeless model, carefully selecting the accessories to be able to run both vintage tram steam locomotives and more modern electric motor units. Enrico tells us about the FLB depot, his personal company. François Fontana: Hello Enrico, is this delightful little tram depot a real site, or a fruit of your imagination? Enrico Boniforti: The layout is based on the depot of the former Lugano-Cadro-Dino company, which was located in Lugano, Switzerland. Created in 1911, it ceased operations in…